Grime star Stormzy launches scholarship for black students

, FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 file photo, Stormzy poses for photographers upon his arrival at the Brit Awards 2018 in London. London rapper Stormzy said Thursday Aug. 16, 2018, he is setting up a scholarship to help black students attend Britain's prestigious Cambridge University. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)

LONDON (AP) — London rapper Stormzy is setting up a scholarship to help black students attend Britain's prestigious Cambridge University.

The grime artist says the Stormzy Scholarship will pay the 9,250 pound ($11,750) a year tuition fees, plus a maintenance grant, for two undergraduates at the 800-year-old university this year and in 2019.

Stormzy said Thursday that "if you're academically brilliant don't think because you come from a certain community that studying at one of the highest education institutions in the world isn't possible."

Britain's top universities face criticism for admitting a disproportionate number of students from white, wealthy backgrounds.

Cambridge has acknowledged that applicants from ethnic minorities have a lower success rate at winning admission than white students. It says it is working to increase diversity.